Safety device for spring brakes

Abstract

The present invention relates to a safety device for spring brakes comprising a C-clamp, the opening of which is just fit to accommodate the edges of the two chambers and the diaphragm of an air brake; and a body plate, which is being cast with the C-clamp as one integral body and is welded onto an outer surface of the first chamber of the air brake. The safety device can securely engage the two chambers to prevent the spring, the diaphragm and the second chamber from bursting out of the first chamber, causing damage to properties and / or injuries to anybody in the surrounding area.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a safety device for vehicle brakes and more particularly pertains to a safety device for spring brakes which prevents the disengagement of the two chambers. [0002] A conventional spring brake generally comprises a first chamber, a second chamber, a diaphragm, a spring and a pushrod connecting to a braking device such as a brake shoe or brake pad. The diaphragm is placed between the two chambers. The spring is heavily coiled between the diaphragm and the bottom of the first chamber. By controlling the amount of air pressure applied to the diaphragm and thereby controlling the compression of the spring, the driver can apply or release the brake. As a significant amount of energy is stored in the coiled spring, it is vital to hold the two chambers and the diaphragm in place to prevent the spring from bursting out of the first chamber. [0003] To this end, a conventional spring brake is typically equipped with a clamp ba...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] In view of the aforesaid disadvantages now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a safety device for spring brakes which can securely engage the two chambers, thus preventing any accidental disengagement of the two chambers.

[0006] To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a C-clamp and a body plate being cast as one integral body; the opening of the C-clamp is just fit to accommodate the edges of the two chambers and the diaphragm of a spring brake; the body plate is welded onto the outer surface of the first chamber at a position corresponding to the bolt of the clamp band such that the C-clamp passes through the gap between the bolt of the clamp band and the interface of the two chambers, keeping the two chambers and the diaphragm securely in place.

Problems solved by technology

However, if a user inadvertently loosens or disassembles the clamp band by loosening a screw thereon, or if the clamp band is loosened accidentally owing to, for example, a bump to the vehicle, or if the clamp band becomes out of order and fails to engage the chambers properly, the diaphragm is no longer securely fastened and thus can no longer keep the spring in place.

In such a case, anybody in the surrounding area may be injured or even killed by the parts bursting away from the first chamber, let alone damage is likely to be caused to properties in the neighborhood.

Although such arrangement can prevent any accidental disengagement of the two chambers, it is susceptible of higher production costs and lower manufacturing efficiency.

Moreover, if any component has any defect or if there is any error or abnormality during the assembling procedures, the air brake may fail to function properly and may not be repaired and will have to be disposed of, which results in a waste of resources.

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